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Royal Hospital, Haslar
Mr. Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the financial arrangements are between the NHS and the Ministry of Defence relating to the cost of running the Royal Hospital, Haslar; [69270]
- (2) what the cost to the National Health Service will be of (a) opening a diagnostic and treatment centre at the Royal Hospital, Haslar and (b) closing it in 2007. [69271]
Ms Blears: From April 2001 the responsibility for the delivery of most clinical services from the Royal Hospital Haslar transferred from the Ministry of Defence to the National Health Service, for both military and civilian patients. Arrangements have been made with the Ministry of Defence to ensure resources are made available to reflect this transfer. Financial arrangements for military
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patients reflect the principles contained within the circular HSC 1999–112, Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs)—Financial Arrangements.
The development of a diagnostic and treatment centre is under way, the first phase taking place in April 2002. The Department has provided capital funding of £725,000 this year to support the development. Last year £40,000 was made available for project management costs. The centre will move to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham on completion of the private finance initiative re-development. This is scheduled to take place in 2007 and cost associated with the transfer cannot be estimated at this time.
EU Committees (Scottish Representation)
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the EU Advisory Committee on the training of midwives is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement; [66413]
- (2) when the EU Advisory Committee on medical training is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement; [66411]
(3) when the EU Advisory Committee on the training of dental practitioners is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement; [66414]
(4) when the EU Advisory Committee on training in nursing is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [66412]
Mr. Hutton: I have asked to reply.
The Advisory Committees on midwifery, medical, dental, nursing and pharmaceutical training were set up to advise the European Commission and member states on matters relating to the training of workers whose professions come under sectoral directives guaranteeing free movement and automatic recognition of qualifications.
Each advisory committee has three members from each member state—one each from the practising profession, the education establishments and the competent authorities concerned. Three alternates are appointed on the same basis. Some of the United Kingdom's members and alternates of the advisory committees are Scottish, but the membership is there to represent the interests of all four UK countries.
The advisory committees have not met during the last 12 months, and are not likely to do so again.
Obesity
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the role of sport in tackling obesity. [67996]
Ms Blears: (pursuant to her reply 8 July 2002, Official Report, 783W): I regret that my previous reply was incorrect. It should read:
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Increasing participation in sport has a role to play in raising the rates of physical activity. Low rates of physical activity together with an unhealthy diet contribute to increased rates of obesity. Major cross-Government work has been put in place to raise the level of physical activity, and participation in sport. This includes: £581 million
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from the New Opportunities Fund for a PE and sports programme; the national Active Sports Programme and the Department's recently announced £2.5 million programme of community physical activity pilots, which will test out different community approaches to increasing physical activity. All pilots will be based in neighbourhood renewal areas and three will also involve Sport Action Zones.